Mechanical candle feeder



Aug. 30, 1949.

D. F. M CLORY I MECHANICAL CANDLE FEEDER Filed May 18, 1948 INVENTOR.

DONALD FM: (740R BY A T'TOE NEX Patented Aug. 30, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,480,333 I v MECHANICAL CANDLE FEEDER.

Donald F. McClory, San Francisco. Calif. Application May 18, 1948, Serial No. 29,537

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a mechanical candle feeder.

Among the objects of the invention is the mechanical simulation of the conventional shape and general appearance of wax candles.

Another object is the provision of means for controlling the volume of melting wax incidental to the wick consumption of the melting candle.

Another object is the provision of means for firmly and adjustably fixing the candle base in various sizes of candlesticks.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds. In the specification, and the accompanying drawings the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited to this form; because it may be embodied in modifications within the spirit of the invention as defined in the claim following the description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a mechanical candle constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same on the line II--II Fig. 1.

In detail the structure shown in Fig. 1, comprises the compressible clutch-plug l, preferably composed of a resilient plastic such as neoprene resembling a rubber compound. It is interposed between the bottom and top washers 2, 3 and has the screw 4' passing through both washers and the clutch-plug with the screw head 5 bearing against the bottom washer 2. The screw is threaded through the round nut 6 which bears against the top washer. screw is upset outwardly so that it cannot be backed out through the nut 6 from below.

The candle feed comprises the tube 1 having its lower end clinched around the nut 6. The tubular plunger 8 has the closed top 9 and the slightly flared lower edge Ill, which abuts the inturned upper edge 1 of the tube in the fully extended position. The expansive spring H is interposed between the nut 6 and the top 9 of the plunger. The lower end portion of the tube 1 has the projecting tits l2, l3 upset in the body of the tube.

The tapered tubular case M, simulating the outward appearance of a candle, has the inturned top portion at l5. The lower end of this tube is flanged inwardly at l6 around the annulus ll which surrounds the circumference of the tube beneath the tits l2, I3. The annulus has the opposed notches l8, l9, to pass these tits, forming in effect a bayonet connection between the tube and the case M. The lug 20 is bent in:

The upper end of the 2 ward from the annulus into the path of the tits l2, I3 to limit the turning of the case M relative to the tube 1, for locking this bayonet joint.

This invention operates substantially as follows: The clutch-plug I is grasped by one hand while the tube is held in the other hand. The clutch-plug is then turned until it is an easy fit within the socket 2| in the holder 22. which functions as a candle stick. The tube is then rotated on the screw 4, which compresses the clutch-plug I until it is expanded within the socket 2| to hold the tube firmly upright in the candle stick, such as 22.

The candle 23 is then inserted into the case M through the annulus II. The case is then lowered over the tube 1, until the candle depresses the plunger 8 and enters the upper end of this tube, against the expansion of the spring H, which forces the wick end of the candle upward until the wick 2| is exposed above the inturned upper end l5 of the case l4. The case is then rotated until the tits l2, l3 pass through the notches l6, l1 and one of the tits contacts the stop lug 8. This holds the apparatus in firm assembly in the holder Hi.

When the wick 24 is lighted the heat melts the upper end of the candle and the resultant fluid wax is impounded within the upper end of the case at 25, the inturned end l5 forming a pool of fluid wax to feed the burning wick. The candle is gradually consumed and forced upwardly by the constant expansion of the spring H. The incidental heat of combustion is absorbed and radiated by the enclosing case M, and protects the body of the candle against excessive disintegration, and dripping downward. As the body of the candle is consumed at the puddle 25, it is pushed upward progressively until the top of the plunger 8 seals against the inturned flange at the top l5 of the case. In this manner the whole of the candle 2D is consumed, without waste and without dripping downward.

In many antique candelabra, especially Chinese, the sockets are irregular in diameter, taper and general formation. The expansive clutch-plug is easily locked within such sockets and the several candles may be maintained in proper alinement with each other.

The resiliency and high frictional eificiency of the clutch-plug I, enables it to adjust itself to out-of-round and tapered sockets in candle sticks and maintain its vertical adjustment.

Having fully described this invention and its mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A mechanical candle feeder comprising a tube having a restricted upper end and its lower end closed by a nut fixed therein; a tubular plunger with a closed upper end and slidable within said tube and extending above the said restricted upper end of said tube and having a flared lower end engaging beneath said restricted upper end of said tube; an expansive spring telescoping within said tube and plunger between said nut and the closedupper end of said plunger; "2. tubular outer case telescoping over said tube and having a restricted upper end and detachably attached to said tube adjacent said nut; a candle interposed between the closed end .of said plunger and a restricted upper end of said case; a screw threaded in said nut; and a cylindrical rubberlike clutch plug interposed between the head of said screw and said nut and adapted-to be expanded by compression when said nut is turned relative to said screw and be frictionally anchored in the socket of a candle supporting base.

- DONALD F. McCLORY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UN IIED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 200,661 McCarthy Feb. 26, 1878 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 Number Country Date 1,285 Great Britain 1886 15,758 Great Britain 1911 16,003 Great Britain 1891 

